Secrets and lies have been the story of Coltyn Pendragon’s life. He had devoted himself to Luna, Princess of the Night, or as she called herself before her banishment, Nightmare Moon. Coltyn was a general in the war against Celestia to end her tyranny but fate had other plans. The army of the night lost the war, and any hope to complete the dream set forward by Luna. But Coltyn chose not to give up and for nearly a thousand years he plotted and planned his revenge. However, all his scheming faded to nothing when he found his own daughter had committed the ultimate crime of breaking a unicorn’s horn off. Moreover, what she’d done was worse, because the victim was a helpless alicorn foal, the newborn daughter of Princess Celestia. Coltyn saved the foal’s life but was not able to fix the damage to her horn, so he sealed her magic to keep her alive, leaving a star shaped scar on her forehead.

When Coltyn stood at the door to Celestia’s room after rescuing the filly, he looked on the poor foal and made a vow. “I will find a way to fix this. Have faith we will meet again and I will right the wrong that you have suffered,” Coltyn whispered softly in the foal’s ear as a tear fell from his eye.

With his final words he knocked on the door and teleported before anypony could answer.

Coltyn hooked himself up to his cart and made his way to Trottingham where some of the best medical minds lived and worked. He was hoping to find a way to make amends for what was – in his eyes – his greatest mistake.

***

Years passed, and Coltyn had given up on hiding his identity. Coltyn’s coat was brilliant silver with his mane and tail having various shades of purple which he kept long but neat. His bright blue eyes hid a wealth of knowledge as his cutie mark – a ten pointed star with the center being a rich blue with alternating purple and white points with smaller blue stars on the four cardinal directions – graced his flank. One day, Coltyn was browsing the local paper when an article about a disturbance at the Grand Galloping Gala caught his eye. The trouble was caused by six ponies who just also happened to be the same who defeated Nightmare Moon and returned her to pure innocence. The six were supposed to be the living definition of harmony and to hear of them acting in such a way was strange. A few months later news of Discord’s fiasco reached Trottingham and Coltyn, having lived through Discord’s first rampage; started making plans to leave. He gathered all his supplies and recent research and made his way to Ponyville, hoping he could be of help.

Coltyn decided to take the train to cause less suspicion rather than teleporting to the little town. Coltyn gathered a small bag of research materials and put on his slightly faded royal blue cloak which covered his flank and headed for the train station. The ride to Manehatten was not bad but the two day delay worried him somewhat, as he was gripped by an increasing sense of urgency. Coltyn breathed a deep sigh of relief as the train called for passengers to Ponyville. The train pulled into Ponyville and Coltyn was greeted with some disturbing sights. All of the ponies seemed to still be recovering from Discord's escape. When he asked them about what happened none were willing to share any details or just made excuses to be elsewhere. Coltyn tried to get more information from the ponies but none would elaborate on what Discord did. Seeing that his efforts to gain information from the common ponies would yield no answers he sought out the Princess’ personal student and wielder of the Element of Magic – Twilight Sparkle.

***

Coltyn arrived at the Library and was surprised to see that she was out with no date or time of return. Knocking, Coltyn hoped that someone could answer his questions. Coltyn was shocked a bit as a small purple and green dragon opened the door.

“How can I help you?” the dragon asked.

Gulping hard Coltyn replied, “I was looking for Miss Sparkle, do you know where I could find her, mister?”

The dragon looked quizzically at Coltyn, “I’m Spike. Why are you looking for her? I have never seen you around here before.”

“That makes sense since I have not visited Ponyville. I am here doing researched and I was hoping to get some aid from, according to what I hear, the most powerful unicorn of this generation.”

“You’re right, Twilight is the most powerful unicorn but she is out right now. She’ll be back later tonight.”

“That is fine. Do you mind if I take a look around the library?”

“No, just put back what you take down. Cleaning up after Twilight’s study sessions is hard enough.”

Coltyn chuckled because the dragon obviously didn’t know how research worked. Coltyn set down his bag and pulled out twenty different medical and anatomy books. Spike looked at the great big pile of books and sighed.

“What’s wrong?” Coltyn asked.

“You study just like Twilight,” Spike sighed, looking at the pile of books.

“Well, research requires a lot of referencing and crosschecking. The information needed isn’t usually all in one book, in fact if all you can find on one topic is in one book it becomes evident that what you’re researching doesn’t exist and is most likely fiction.”

“Hmm… I never thought of that before. Maybe I’ll have to give Twilight a break about her messes.”

A thoughtful frown drew Coltyn’s brows together. “A serious researcher usually cleans up after him or herself, so that they know where all their materials are and the work space is organized. It helps to keep disparate projects separated.”

“I wish Twilight would be so considerate some days,” Spike huffed.

Coltyn chuckled as he sat down to study. As Coltyn opened the texts which showed signs of considerable age and pulled a few from his saddlebag which Spike had never seen before which were written in a different language. The dragon was curious as to the books he had never seen, even in the Canterlot library.

“What are those old books? I haven’t seen them in the Canterlot archives,” Spike asked curiously.

“These are my own personal books; advanced magic and potions and it doesn’t surprise me that you haven’t seen them since they haven’t been printed in nearly a thousand years,” Coltyn responded.

“Better keep them away from Twilight. Wait… how do you have them if they’re that old?” Spike inquired.

“That is a long story and I’d rather not tell. It’s very personal,” Coltyn replied with a smirk.

Spike shrugged as he continued cleaning the library. Coltyn began flipping through the pages while taking notes in a separate notebook.

***

Hours passed and Coltyn became so engrossed in his research, he failed to realize that Twilight had come home until she called for her assistant.

“Spike, I’m home!” Twilight called, closing the door behind her.

“Hey Twilight, there’s somepony here to see you in the study,” Spike replied from upstairs.

Twilight set down her saddlebags and approached the pony sitting in her study chamber. “Hello,” Twilight greeted but didn’t receive a reply. “Hello,” she said louder tapping him on the shoulder.

“Oh… greetings, Miss Sparkle,” Coltyn gasped with surprise.

“Oh, my! I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” Twilight apologized.

“No need to apologize, I actually came here to speak with you.”

“Really? Why? Who are you?”

“My name is Coltyn Pendragon and I’m here to see how you are after the Discord event,” Coltyn informed Twilight.

“Well… I’m doing fine,” Twilight said, uncomfortable.

“Really? You don’t seem to be fine.”

“I’m fine, really.”

“If you say so,” he replied doubtfully. “I’m also curious as to how the others are handling themselves.”

“Nothing seems to be out of the ordinary, we’ve all gone back to doing what we always did.”

“I see. Well I’m also here doing my own research so I will be in and out regularly.”

“That’s fine. I’ll tell Spike to keep a desk set up so you have a place to work.”

“My thanks, Miss Sparkle. By the way may I ask you about what happened to you while Discord was free?”

Twilight took a step back. “Why do you want to know about that?”

“Well from what I read, last time he was in Equestria he didn’t really take an interest in anypony and just drove them all equally mad. However, with him taking an interest in you and the other Elements of Harmony I am worried about the damage he may have done.”

“Well we’ve all been handling the aftermath fairly well. Some of the ponies weren’t as lucky though.”

“I feared some would end up permanently damaged, just like last time, but how are you holding up Miss Sparkle?”

“Please call me Twilight and I’m not too bad, I sometimes have nightmares but that is expected after such an event.”

“Fair enough,” Coltyn said, looking out the window at the moon high in the night sky. “It’s getting late and I should excuse myself. I would like to continue this conversation tomorrow.”

“Yes, that would be nice,” Twilight said.

Coltyn began packing up replacing the books he took down and putting his personal books into this saddlebag. Twilight saw a few books that she had never seen before slide into his bag but figured she would ask about them later. As Coltyn pulled the hood up on his cloak and walked outside. Coltyn turned and smiled slightly as Twilight stood in the doorway as his horn lit with a dark aura and he disappeared into the night.

***

Coltyn appeared in his cart in Trottingham, taking off his bag and cloak lit a fire and sat down. Coltyn pulled down an ancient scroll on reversing Discord’s chaos effects and began making notes on what he needed. He had everything except a vial of adult dragon’s blood and a few plants that weren’t in bloom. Coltyn sighed but thought that maybe if given freely instead of taken the young dragon’s blood might be enough if backed with carnation oil. With a slight smile he readied his cart for travel. Coltyn began drawing intricate circles and designs in the earth and then levitated his cart to the center of the circle. He placed his hooves on the edge of the circle and concentrated as the lines glowed white as the cart disappeared in a cloud of white. Coltyn followed suit as the dark aura surrounded him and with a flash he was with his cart just outside of Ponyville. Satisfied of his location he went inside to get some rest.

***

Coltyn woke up as the rooster crowed and stretched his limbs to loosen them from sleeping on his hooves. He followed his morning ritual of eating breakfast then setting to the task of grooming. Levitating his brush he began meticulously grooming himself starting with his mane, making sure to comb every inch of his coat and finally his long tail. He prepared his saddlebag and brought a notebook containing his research notes. Coltyn, putting on his cloak; opened the door to his cart and was looking right in the big blue eyes of a bright pink mare.

Coltyn took a step back. “May I help you?”

“Hi, I’m Pinkie Pie. Are you moving to Ponyville? Why do you sleep in this cart? Are you another pony like The Great and Powerful Trixie? I hope you don’t cause any fillies or colts to wake an ursa minor and have it rampage around town. You know you have the same style of cape that Trixie had and that is why I asked…”

Coltyn tried to get a word in but was unable to as Pinkie continued to babble. Figuring she would continue till her tongue fell out he pulled a small vial from a shelf and placed it under Pinkie’s nose.

“…we had to clean so much up and hey what is that? Is that a potion of some kind ‘cause I noticed the sign and I figured you had potions…”

Coltyn opened the vial as smoke covered Pinkie’s face, knocking her out. Coltyn sighed as he placed her on his back. Coltyn’s horn lit as he teleported them just outside Twilight’s library. He knocked and was answered by Twilight.

“Hello Coltyn… why is Pinkie on your back or more importantly not moving?”

“She is under a freeze potion which should wear off in a few minutes.”

“She started babbling at you as soon as you got to town this morning,” Twilight sighed

“Yes, how did you know?”

“She has done this to a few others and driven them to move someplace else. She seems very excitable, even more than before.”

“I see,” Coltyn said examining Pinkie. “I’m betting her time under Discord’s influence has something to do with that. I know of a ritual which could help.”

“I’m not sure; I don’t think it will help. I feel fine and nothing feels out of the ordinary.”

“If you insist, I ask that you think on it. Here I will even leave this with you,” Coltyn said, pulling out a freshly written scroll with the realignment ritual.

“I need to continue my work so I will leave Pinkie in your care if you don’t mind,” Coltyn stated, walking up to the study room he was using yesterday.

***

Coltyn heard Twilight explain to Pinkie that she needed to stop scaring ponies with her babbling. Coltyn continued to research through the day and into the night. Coltyn headed down to the main lobby where Twilight was sitting.

“Hello Twilight Sparkle; I will not be here tomorrow. I have to go get some special plants for a ritual.”

“Herbs? Maybe you should talk to Zecora. She lives out in the Everfree forest and might have what you need,” Twilight said as Coltyn was heading out the door.

“Wait somepony lives in Everfree? When have ponies started living in Everfree?” Coltyn inquired.

“She isn’t a pony, she’s a zebra,” Twilight explained.

“Ah, that makes more sense. Well this may make my life a little easier and I could probably learn even more from her,” Coltyn said.

“She is pretty smart,” Twilight said, thinking back on the times Zecora helped her.

“I think I will pay her a visit tomorrow,” Coltyn said, hopeful.

“Ok well have a good night,” Twilight called as Coltyn headed out the door.

“You too, Twilight Sparkle.”

Coltyn closed the door and headed back to his cart and started to get things in order. Coltyn had been feeling like he was at a dead end in his research for nothing seemed to lead to the answer he sought. The ritual he was designing had become so complex that he was starting to fear that he would fail, again. Coltyn was overcome with worry and he knew it and the only way he would sleep was with a sleeping potion. He pulled a bottle off the top shelf and drank down the contents as he lay on the floor, the mixture slowly knocked him out.

***

The next day Coltyn readied his supplies and putting on his cloak and saddlebag headed out. As he trotted out to the edge of the forest he noticed a home just on the outskirts. A yellow mare with long flowing pink mane and tail was singing with some birds just outside her tree home. Coltyn slowed to a walk as he listened to the soothing sounds but continued out to the forest as the pony didn’t seem to notice him.

Coltyn’s hooves walked the familiar ground of his past as the memories of he and his friends came back. Coltyn smiled as his happy memories filled him but soon faded as he passed the forest center. Then the dark memories surfaced of captivity, torture, and the loss of his friends and leader, Nightmare Moon. Then the vision of Celestia’s foal quivering in pain and the soul crushing sounds of her whimpering filled his ears.

Coltyn pulled himself together as the home of Zecora came into view. Coltyn knocked softly on the door and was greeted by a zebra with a swirl pattern on her flank and golden rings around her hoof and neck.

“Greetings to you this day, how can I help you if I may?” Zecora asked in her usual rhyme.

“Well Miss Zecora, I was hoping to ask for help with a ritual and the acquisition of some magic herbs,” Coltyn explained.

“Of rituals and herbs I have knowledge, but what do you hope to accomplish?”

Coltyn sighed. “I need to be ready to help Twilight Sparkle recover from her time discorded; I fear something is wrong and I want to be ready for anything.”

Zecora went digging though her wares.

“I think I have something that was handed down, and with it the cure may be found,” Zecora explained as she pulled out an old scroll.

“I am also curious as to what scrolls you have on growing magic,” Coltyn asked.

“I have many scrolls on that subject, may I ask what is the focus of your project.”

“I need to find a way to regrow an alicorn horn that was broken off at birth,” Coltyn explained in a deathly serious tone.

Zecora looked at Coltyn as if this was a joke but when the serious expression didn’t leave his face she nodded, pulling various scrolls out from different corners of her hut. Coltyn looked at the scrolls and found a few that would be useful but there was still and important piece to the puzzle missing. Coltyn and Zecora talked and discussed throughout the day about how to make a special brews and going over all the scrolls and there uses. The day had almost come to an end when Coltyn bid farewell to Zecora and headed back to Ponyville.

***

Coltyn was exiting the forest as the moon shone upon the land. Coming to the edge he was greeted by familiar flash of light as he saw the hilly land alight as bright as the sun. Horrible thoughts crossed his mind as he thoughtlessly teleported himself inside Twilight’s library. Coltyn appeared in the study he had used and was most familiar with and ran down to the main lobby.

“Twilight, are you alright? I saw sun magic as I…,” Coltyn stopped on the bottom stair as he looked into the eye of Celestia.
Celestia stood there in shock at seeing a pony she long thought dead. The air grew thick with tension as the two stared at each other, waiting. Coltyn moved to head back upstairs but Celestia charged, knocking him into the wall. Spike looked around the corner of a bookcase to see what the commotion was but quickly hid seeing Celestia pining down Coltyn with her magic.

“How are you still alive?” Celestia growled.

“Nice to see you too,” Coltyn gasped.

“Answer me!” Celestia demanded, placing her hoof on Coltyn’s throat.

“I used the Darksteel Ritual before the war between Sun and Moon,” Coltyn stated.

“What are you doing here trying to corrupt my student, I bet you’re the one who drove her to enchant her doll and cause the whole town to fall into chaos.”

“No but you’re on the right path. I feared there would be some kind of residual effect from being exposed to Discord’s chaos energy.”

“So why show yourself now?” Celestia demanded.

“I want to help them. They are still suffering from the effects of chaos,” Coltyn pleaded.

Celestia glared at Coltyn. “Give me one reason not to send you through the Gates of Tatarus,” Celestia commanded.

“If they don’t get help their minds will fracture and they will all end up in a mental ward babbling nonsense.”

Celestia loosened her pin. “Why are you trying to help them?”

“I’m trying to make up for over a thousand years of mistakes and bad decisions. I took an oath under Nightmare Moon to defend Equestria from evil. After the war, I was plotting revenge but certain events caused me to have a change of heart,” Coltyn said, looking away from Celestia.

“I see,” Celestia said letting go of Coltyn. “I want to discuss this further but I must attend to my student. Come to Canterlot tomorrow unarmed.”

Coltyn nodded as he teleported back to his cart; a sense of dread fell over him. Going to Canterlot with no backup is suicide; Coltyn thought about it and decided to go to prove he was trustworthy.

***

Coltyn performed his morning ritual then began to draw a circle on the ground. Coltyn was putting the final runes in place when Twilight trotted up to him.

“Good morning, Twilight Sparkle,” Coltyn greeted with a smile.

“Good morning to you as well,” Twilight replied, looking at the odd drawing on the ground. “What is this for?”

“This is an enhancing circle which aids in teleportation to places that are normally out of range for one teleport.”

“I think I read about them in one of my books. I’d like to see how it works,” Twilight said, studying the circle carefully.

“I would like to show you but I have to meet Celestia today,” Coltyn sighed.

“I know. Spike told me a great deal of interesting things that transpired last night before I got home.”

“Did he now? What did your little dragon friend have to say?” Coltyn inquired.

“Well the most interesting part is the fact that you and Princess Celestia have known each other for over a thousand years and that you used to work for Nightmare Moon.”

“He is correct. I am that old but not only did I work for Nightmare Moon, I was a general.”

“I would like to see some evidence before I can believe such a tale.”

Coltyn sighed inviting Twilight into his cart. Twilight felt like she walked into Zecora’s hut as she looked at shelves lined with various bottles filled with colorful liquids and some ingredients she recognized and others she had only seen in books. Coltyn’s cutie mark was emblazoned on a cauldron in the back sitting on a small potbelly stove. What drew her attention was a shelf piled with books, some she had never seen before. Twilight looked at the titles and noticed a lot of medical books interspersed with ancient books on dark magic, blood magic, and circle rituals. Coltyn had disappeared into a set of doors in the wall and pulled out a chest with a black circle on the lid with a crescent moon in the center. Opening the trunk, Coltyn removed a midnight blue banner which had the four phases of the moon on the edges, with dark alicorn mare with her wings spread, with the phrase ‘The Night Forever’ arched over the alicorn. Coltyn displayed a set of dark blue barding emblazed with a crescent moon emblem similar to the one on the chest. Dark armored horseshoes with sharpened sides and the helm with a cropped purple mane just like his completed the ensemble. Coltyn held the armor up next to him and Twilight was speechless at the sight of armor which resembled the armor her brother was given by Celestia which showed his high rank.

“This is impossible, you must have made a copy,” Twilight said in disbelief.

“No this is true armor made by one of my best friends; Golden Blade,” Coltyn said, showing her the makers mark of the inlaid gold in the shape of a knife between the letters G and B.

Twilight was speechless upon seeing the maker’s mark which was the same one she read about. Coltyn smiled as he put his memories back in the trunk and slid it back into his closet.

“Would you like to come with me to meet Celestia?” Coltyn asked with a halfhearted smile.

“I would like that but I have one question; why don’t you call her Princess?”

“I have never thought about, but yes I should start calling her princess. It has been so long since I called anypony princess; it just slips my mind. Well enough reminiscing, we really should be going.”

“I guess I can understand that.”

“Thank you,” Coltyn said, turning to walk out the door.

Coltyn gestured to Twilight to stand next to him as his horn lit with a dark aura. The circle glowed as they were enveloped in darkness and flashed away.

***

Coltyn and Twilight appeared just outside the walls of the castle. Coltyn looked upon the walls he had once tried to take down and sighed deeply.

“You ok?” Twilight asked, turning her head.

“Yeah let’s get going,” Coltyn said, opening the small door by the gate.

The two stepped inside and were greeted by the Royal Guard who upon seeing Coltyn brandished their spears. Twilight stood there dumbfounded as to why they would be so aggressive and wanted to know why. The guards took one step aside as a white unicorn stallion donned in purple armor and helm walked up with a stern look on his face until his saw Twilight.

“Shining Armor what is with the harsh reception?” Twilight demanded.

“Twilight? What are you doing here?” Shining Armor asked, surprised to see his sister.

“Coltyn asked me to come, now what is with the guards?”

“Princess Celestia told me that this stallion was dangerous and to take all necessary precautions. So, why did you agree to come here with him?” Shining Armor replied.

“Because I am curious and this just adds to it. Coltyn Pendragon is not a bad pony; he…,” Twilight said.

“Please don’t take it out on the captain he is just doing his job,” Coltyn interrupted. “Please, we are here for an audience with Celest… Princess Celestia,” Coltyn said, remembering his manors.

“How did you know I was a captain?” Shining Armor queried.

Coltyn smirked. “Anypony with special hoof-crafted armor like yours has to be high ranking.”

“Very well, let’s get going,” Shining Armor said; his look ordered the guards into position as he took Twilight and Coltyn to the princess.

The walk to the meeting chamber was eerily silent as nopony said a word or looked any direction but forward. Twilight was showing considerable unease as she kept looking around with only the sound of clanking armor filling the halls. They reached the door and Shining Armor opened the door with his magic and guided everyone in. Celestia was sitting on a pillow atop a small flight of stairs as Shining Armor walked up to her and stood on her right side. The rest of the guards formed a line on the back wall as Coltyn entered the room. Celestia’s eyes narrowed but turned to surprise when Twilight Sparkle entered the room and stood next to Coltyn. The doors closed and everypony lowered their head to Princess Celestia including Coltyn.

“So you will show me respect?” Celestia questioned.

“Yes, I respect you as a pony and a leader and since you have taken back Princess Luna and are ruling together I am willing to bow to you Princess Celestia,” Coltyn answered.

“I see and you even use my title,” Celestia said, waving a hoof to dismiss the extra guards.

“Princess, what is the reason for this meeting?” Twilight asked.

“It seems that he wants to help you and your friends but given his past I have no intention of trusting him,” Celestia stated.

“I’m sure if the ponies knew who you were a thousand years ago they would say the same thing,” Coltyn retorted.

“What are you talking about Coltyn? All the books say how great of a ruler the Princess has been after defeating Nightmare Moon the first time,” Twilight questioned.

“History is written by the victors and not everything is true,” Coltyn replied.

“At least I have changed to reflect the way it was written,” Celestia sneered.

“And I couldn’t have changed over the years,” Coltyn retorted.

“I guess I should give you a chance, one chance. After all, the last I knew of you was a thousand years ago. We shall see if you have changed or not. So what are you planning to do to help Twilight and the others?”

“There is a ritual from the zebra’s that allows one to harmonize their disordered mind. I believe it will help them recover from Discord’s chaos magic.”

“So the question is how can I trust you?”

“I will only set up the ritual and nothing more. I would also ask that you bring the Elements of Harmony they will be needed.”

Celestia pondered the offer made by Coltyn. “Very well but I will be present to make sure that my little ponies stay safe and that nothing happens to the Elements.”

“That’s fine. Thank you very much for your time Princess Celestia,” Coltyn said, bowing his head.

Coltyn moved to the exit followed by Twilight and Shining Armor.

“That went better than expected,” Coltyn said, as the door closed behind them.

“So you really did live a thousand years ago?” Twilight asked, shyly.

“Yes, Celestia and I have never been on the best of terms but I hope to start changing that,” Coltyn nodded.

“So can you help or were you lying?” Shining Armor queried.

“I can help them but more importantly I want to help them,” Coltyn said, proudly as they reached the outer wall.

Twilight bid her brother good-bye. Coltyn looked off to Ponyville and turned to Twilight.

“Would you like to get us back?” Coltyn asked.

“I can’t teleport that far,” Twilight reposted.

“Sure you can, remember the circle I was drawing just picture it in your mind,” Coltyn explained as Twilight closed her eyes to focus. “Envision your magic filling the lines with power, focus on your destination, see yourself standing there, and it will be done.”

With his final word Twilight’s horn flashed lavender as they were transported to the front door of her library. Twilight opened her eyes as glee filled her.

“I can’t believe I did it. I have never been able to teleport more than a mile,” Twilight exclaimed, bouncing excitedly.

“I had faith you could. I don’t think the Element of Magic would have chosen you if you didn’t have great potential,” Coltyn congratulated. “Have a good evening Twilight.”

“You too Coltyn,” Twilight said, walking into her library.